County mental health recovery court launched

Monroe County is one of 11 counties to help people with mental illness through community treatment, jail diversion, education and a recovery court.

Dean Cousino Monroe News staff reporter CousinoDean

Calling it a major improvement in dealing with mentally ill people, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley helped Monroe County and various partners launch a Mental Health Recovery Court Friday afternoon.The state’s No. 2 executive, a longtime mental health reform advocate, announced the formation of the recovery court during a press conference held at the 911/Emergency Management Division office on Raisinville Rd.“Dealing with the root problems has better long-term outcomes than dealing with the symptoms,” Lt. Gov. Calley told a packed room of supporters and volunteers. “If you don’t deal with the untreated mental health, you have (less) chance of understanding the nature of mental illness.”County leads statewide effortThe county was one of the first in Michigan to adopt a resolution “Stepping Up to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails” in 2015 and joined 11 other counties in the state (including Lenawee County) and 302 nationally to take this step to pursue jail diversion programming.“It’s a big deal,” the lieutenant governor stressed. “I hope the community will all rally around the effort and be inclusive… Congratulations on what’s happening here. It’s an inspiration to me.”First District Court Judge Jack Vitale, the presiding judge for the court, explained how the county is in the second year of a multi-year state grant designed to address incarceration of individuals with mental illness through community treatment and other measures.“I’m pleased to announce the beginning of the court,” Judge Vitale told the throng. “The court is a true community team effort and includes the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority, Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, City Attorney, Sheriff’s Office, District Court Probation Office and a county defense attorney.”Both he and Geralyn Harris, chief clinical officer for the Mental Health Authority, noted that the county is one of only four counties in the state with a jail diversion program and a mental health recovery court.Court holds participants accountableThe court is designed to assist individuals who have a serious mental illness to work on their personal recovery and decrease engagement in criminal activity due to their mental health problem.“Its aim is to hold participants accountable for their behavior while also motivating them to engage in mental health treatment,” Judge Vitale said. “They can only be in this program for 16-24 months” before they are returned to the community.It’s estimated that 32 percent of individuals booked in the Monroe County Jail in 2015-2016 had a “serious mental illness” based on an initial mental health screening, he said.Bed space at the county jail costs $62 a day to provide, “so the more we get out of jails, the more we save,” the judge said.Admission to the new court is determined by a team approach and participation is voluntary. Team members for the court include Lisa Jennings, executive director of the county Mental Health Authority; Dr. Tracy Gomez, interim coordinator of the court for the authority; Jail Administrator Major Troy Goodnough from the sheriff’s department; Stephanie Pride and Tracy Blackwell from First District Court Probation Services; Jeffrey Yorkey from the prosecutor’s office and Jahn Landis, a defense attorney from Lennard, Graham & Goldsmith.Mr. Yorkey, a local attorney for 20 years, said he was proud to be part of the team. He said mental health issues have been a growing concern locally.“What the criminal justice system always lacked was a mental health recovery court,” he said. “This is just what the community needs.”Mental health authority contributedMs. Harris lauded her own staff and the lieutenant governor for his passion for treating the mentally ill. “Our program is successful because of what our staff is doing,” she said. “And we have a wonderful relationship with Troy and the sheriff.”Major Goodnough said the grant has provided support staff to help the jail deal with overcrowding. He praised the authority for helping to write the grant request.“A significant number of our inmates have mental health issues and there is not enough space,” the administrator said.Sheriff Dale Malone applauded the judge’s leadership efforts in getting a recovery court. “This is another tool to assist all of us with our jail diversion program,” the sheriff said. “This is the last step of the program.” Court offers ‘win-win’ outcomesAl Potratz, vice chairman of the county board, called the new court a great fit for the county.“It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” Mr. Potratz said. “Our jails are getting so tremendously crowded. This will alleviate the problem and give them a break.”The expected outcome of the new court is to enhance the quality of life for participants by reducing criminal activity that is the result of mental illness and not the result of criminal intent, Judge Vitale said.“Recovery is the process in which people are able to live, work, learn and participate fully in their communities,” he said. “For some, this is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms.” When individuals with a serious mental illness recover and are able to return to being productive members of society, “it reduces the financial burden on our community resources such as hospitals and jails,” he said. “And it frees law enforcement personnel to address more serious criminal behavior.”

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